Map showing campground location near Union, Oregon

Camper submitted image from Catherine Creek State Park Campground

Catherine Creek State Park Campground

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

A first-come, first-served campground running from mid-April through mid-October, Catherine Creek State Park Campground sits wedged between a two-lane mountain highway, a creek, and a steep hillside in Union County, Oregon. Sites cost up to $10 per night, with reservations available for those who prefer not to risk arriving without a spot. The layout is compact, and campers who want more separation between sites should aim for the edges, where spots abut the creek or denser brush rather than open grass.

Noise is worth factoring into site selection. The highway runs close enough that road sounds carry, though multiple visitors note the campground stays quieter than expected at night. The creek is audible from creek-side sites, and cattle graze on the hillside across the road. Shade is heavy throughout, which means sites darken earlier in the evening than open campgrounds would. Verizon users should expect little to no cell signal. The facilities are older but functional, with flush toilets that reviewers consistently describe as clean.

A wooden bridge at the creek marks the start of a short trail, and a day-use picnic area sits about a half-mile up the road. Ongoing riparian restoration work has limited open creek access in some areas. Cat T. notes she was "lucky enough to get a campsite right on the creek." Campers heading deeper into the mountains can find additional options at Wallowa-Whitman National Forest North Fork Catherine Creek Campground or North Fork Catherine Creek Group Campground to the east. Arriving early on summer weekends gives the best chance at a creek-side site.

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Map & DirectionsCatherine Creek State Park Campground is located in Oregon near Union

Public Campground

Directions

Take I-84 to La Grande, OR. Take exit 265. Turn on Highway 203/237 to Union, OR. - 16 miles. In Union, watch for turnoff for the park. The park is located 8 miles out of Union, OR.

Coordinates

45.16800088 N
117.7400004 W

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Tent Cabin

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Trash
Picnic Table
Firewood Available
Reservable
Drinking Water
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Pull-Through Sites

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

1 hr 55 min from Walla Walla, WA
2 hrs 10 min from Kennewick, WA
2 hrs 27 min from Boise, ID
3 hrs 29 min from Lewiston, ID

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Reviews6 Camper Reviews - Catherine Creek State Park Campground

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

4.5

out of 5

6 Reviews

Guests frequently mentioned the well-maintained grounds and creek-side location as highlights. Some visitors noted road noise from the nearby highway, though most found it manageable for a peaceful stay.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

James C.

Traveler

Reviewed Jun. 25, 2025

Nice Stay

Spent 4 days and it was quiet, clean and very friendly. Will stay there again just to get away. Clean restrooms kind of. Although right off the highway it was quiet.

Site8

Month of VisitJune

Beth M.

Guide

Reviewed Apr. 25, 2024

Beautiful and Accessible

Very pretty and open for camping, but without services, when I visited in April. There is a sweet hike that starts right at the bridge. It's right on the road, which could be busy in the summer. Not much for Verizon cell signal.

Sitenear the entrance

Month of VisitApril

Jeane L.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 7, 2021

Perfect stop for a night or few days

We loved this little first-come, first-serve campground. It's small and squeezed in between the creek, mountain highway (only 2 lanes) and steep hillside with some grazing cattle on the other side. The cattle and road noise was okay for us at night, but if you are a light sleeper it might not be for you. There is plenty of shade with all the trees and it does get a little dark earlier because of all the shade. While the toilet facilities are a bit older, they flush and are clean where it counts. We stayed at campsite 5, which seems like an odd choice since it's right next to the welcome signage and fee drop box, but we really liked it because we were able to spread out along the side of the creek with our tent as well as our Big Agnes shade/bug screen we have as well. No fires allowed this time around, but we were fine with our camp stove on the picnic table. There were a few water spigots around and a trash can for each site. It was lovely listening to the creek all day (and waking up to it). A good number of spots in the middle of the campground seemed better suited to small-medium pull behinds since there wasn't as much separating the individual sites. The sites around the edges had a bit more privacy since they abut the edges of the creek or heavier brush. The day use area is a short 1/2 mile drive up the road or a 1 mile hike (0.5 there and 0.5 back) and we saw a few families enjoying the picnic and creek area over the weekend. We saw people using it as a one-night stopover on longer trips and a few campers stayed a few nights like we did. Besides the short hikes and a bit of splashing around in the creek in the day use area there isn't a lot to do in the area (no cell service on Verizon) besides relaxing. The creek side has been undergoing some restoration work so it's not a free-for-all access anywhere. It seems to be working since at campsite 5, being right next to the creek, we had plenty of critters - plenty of butterflies, a few more spiders than I usually notice. There were the usual gnats, mozzies, bees, wasps, and flies too, but no more than any other campground, as well as some creek specific ones since we were so close to the creek - I want to say mayflies or something similar. We also saw plenty of birds, snacking away on bugs in the trees or grass, as well as a few hummingbirds that really liked when the park ranger had put some sprinklers on to water the grass.

Site5

Month of VisitJuly

(7) View All

Ashton B.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 3, 2021

Great place if you don't mind neighbors.

I want to start off saying that this is a park type camping site. So most things are kept up really well. The grass is well maintained and green. There's an area for day picnic use and then another area for camping. There's areas for you to park rv and vehicles and tent camping. I dont RV so I'm unsure on hook up use. This site is close to the main road so must watch kiddos and dogs at all times. It is also close to the river, so watch those kiddos. There's a wonderful trail with a wooden bridge to start off. This area is heavily used, so if you like to be alone, might not be your thing, but the site is very well taken care of and is a beautiful place to check out of the modern world and enter God's country.

Month of VisitJune

Cat T.

Traveler

Reviewed Oct. 26, 2020

Quiet and comfortable

Spent 5 nights here in August. Was lucky enough to get a campsite right on the creek. Loved it!

Brandon C.

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 5, 2020

Great friendly campground

Cute little campground in the middle of “nowhere “

(5) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

What recreational activities can visitors enjoy at Catherine Creek State Park?

Visitors to Catherine Creek State Park can enjoy several recreational activities centered around the natural setting. The park features a sweet hiking trail that begins right at the bridge, perfect for exploring the surrounding landscape. Creek access provides opportunities for water activities and fishing. The day use area is ideal for picnicking and relaxing outdoors. The serene natural environment, complete with views of grazing cattle on nearby hillsides, offers excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing, photography, and peaceful relaxation away from busy urban areas.

What amenities and facilities are available at Catherine Creek State Park campground?

Catherine Creek State Park Campground offers basic amenities in a small, well-maintained setting. The campground has designated areas for RVs, vehicles, and tent camping. Restrooms are available but minimally maintained. The grounds feature well-kept green grass with separate areas for day use picnicking and overnight camping. This is a first-come, first-served campground with no services during the off-season (open for camping without amenities in spring). The park is situated directly along a creek, with some sites offering creek-side locations. Verizon cell service is limited in the area.

Where is Catherine Creek State Park located in Oregon and how do I get there?

Catherine Creek State Park is located in northeastern Oregon, nestled between a creek, a two-lane mountain highway, and steep hillsides. The campground sits in what some describe as "the middle of nowhere," offering a secluded natural experience. It's situated directly off the highway, making access straightforward despite its remote feel. While the exact driving directions depend on your starting point, the park is easily accessible by following the main mountain highway, with the campground entrance clearly visible from the road. For precise directions, contact Oregon State Parks or check their official website before your trip.

What do visitor reviews say about camping at Catherine Creek State Park?

Catherine Creek State Park Campground is highly regarded as a quiet, clean, and friendly camping destination. Campers particularly value the creek-side sites, with many securing spots directly along the water. The campground's atmosphere is peaceful despite being near a mountain highway, though light sleepers might notice some road noise and occasional sounds from grazing cattle on the adjacent hillside. The park-like setting with well-maintained green grass receives consistent praise. Visitors appreciate the campground's small size and simple charm, often describing it as a perfect getaway spot. Many campers note they would happily return for future visits.

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